BACKGROUND-We conducted a trial of prophylactic platelet transfusions to evaluate the effect of platelet dose on bleeding in patients with hypoproliferative thrombocytopenia.

Rationale: Allogeneic mesenchymal precursor cells (MPCs) have been effective in large animal models of ischemic and nonischemic heart failure (HF). Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of 3 doses (25, 75, or 150 million cells) of immunoselected allogeneic MPCs in chronic HF patients in a phase 2 trial. Methods and Results: We sequentially allocated 60 patients to a dosing cohort (20 per dose group) and randomized them to transendocardial MPC injections (n=15) or mock procedures (n=5). The primary objective was safety, including antibody testing. Secondary efficacy end points included major adverse cardiac events (MACE; cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization), left ventricular imaging, and other clinical-event surrogates. Safety and MACE were evaluated for up to 3 years. MPC injections were feasible and safe. Adverse events were similar across groups. No clinically symptomatic immune responses were noted. MACE was seen in 15 patients: 10 of 45 (22%) MPC-treated and 5 of 15 (33%) control patients. We found no differences between MPC-treated and control patients in survival probability, MACE-free probability, and all-cause mortality. We conducted a post hoc analysis of HF-related MACE (HF hospitalization, successfully resuscitated cardiac death, or cardiac death) and events were significantly reduced in the 150 million MPC group (0/15) versus control (5/15; 33%), 25 million MPC group (3/15; 20%), and 75 million MPC group (6/15; 40%); the 150 million MPC group differed significantly from all groups according to Kaplan–Meier statistics >3 years ( P =0.025 for 150 million MPC group versus control). Conclusions: Transendocardial injections of allogeneic MPCs were feasible and safe in chronic HF patients. High-dose allogeneic MPCs may provide benefits in this population.

Uncontrolled studies have suggested that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may be effective against acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD). We conducted a multicenter, randomized study to assess the efficacy of using ex vivo cultured adult human MSC (remestemcel-L) in addition to second-line therapy to treat steroid-refractory aGVHD (NCT00366145). In total, 260 patients, 6 months to 70 years of age, were enrolled from August 2006 to May 2009 and were randomized 2:1 to receive 8 intravenous infusions of remestemcel-L or placebo, given over 4 weeks, in addition to second-line therapy according to institutional standards. Four additional infusions over 4 weeks were indicated for patients with incomplete response at day 28. Randomization was stratified by aGVHD grade. Efficacy and safety were assessed through 180 days of follow-up, with the primary endpoint being durable complete response (DCR), defined as complete resolution of aGVHD symptoms for any period of at least 28 days after beginning treatment. Remestemcel-L did not meet the primary endpoint of greater DCR in the intent-to-treat population (35% versus 30%; P = 0.42). In post hoc analyses, patients with liver involvement who received at least 1 infusion of remestemcel-L had a higher DCR, and higher overall complete or partial response rate (OR) than those who received placebo (29% versus 5%; P = .047). Among high-risk patients (aGVHD grades C and D), remestemcel-L demonstrated significantly higher OR at day 28 than placebo (58% versus 37%; P = 0.03). Furthermore, pediatric patients had a higher OR with MSCs compared with placebo (64% versus 23%; P = .05). Similar rates of adverse events were observed between treatment groups. Remestemcel-L was safe and well tolerated. Results of this study did not demonstrate superior DCR compared with placebo when added to standard of care. The favorable clinical responses seen in some patient subsets may warrant further investigation.

Background Allogeneic mesenchymal precursor cells (MPC) injected during left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation may contribute to myocardial recovery. This trial explores the safety and efficacy of this strategy. Methods and Results In this multi-center, double-blind, sham-procedure controlled trial, 30 patients were randomized (2:1) to intramyocardial injection of 25M MPCs or medium during LVAD implantation. The primary safety endpoint was incidence of infectious myocarditis, myocardial rupture, neoplasm, hypersensitivity reaction, and immune sensitization (90 days post-randomization). Key efficacy endpoints were functional status and ventricular function, while temporarily weaned from LVAD support (90 days post-randomization). Patients were followed until transplant or 12 months post-randomization, whichever came first. Mean age was 57.4 (±13.6) years, mean LVEF 18.1%, and 66.7% were destination therapy LVADs. No safety events were observed. Successful temporary LVAD weaning was achieved in 50% of MPC and 20% of control patients at 90 days (p=0.24); the posterior probability that MPCs increased the likelihood of successful weaning is 93%. At 90 days, 3 deaths occurred in control and none in MPC patients. Mean LVEF following successful wean was 24.0% (MPC=10) and 22.5% (Control=2) (p=0.56). At 12 months, 30% of MPC and 40% of control patients were successfully temporarily weaned from LVAD support (p=0.69) and 6 deaths occurred in MPC patients. Donor-specific HLA sensitization developed in 2 MPC and 3 control patients and resolved by 12 months. Conclusions In this preliminary trial, administration of MPCs appeared to be safe and there was a potential signal of efficacy. Future studies will evaluate the potential for higher or additional doses to enhance the ability to wean LVAD recipients off support. Clinical Trial Registration Information ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT01442129.